US stock report gives grains a boost

Grain futures closed higher Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade, with support from a weaker dollar and a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Corn was up 33 3/4 to up 36 1/2, soybeans were up 24 3/4 to up 38 3/4, wheat was up 15 1/4 to up 16 1/4 and oats were up 1 to up 5. October's crop report estimated corn stocks at 619 million bushels, down from 733 million in September's report. Wheat stocks were pegged at 173 million metric tons, down from 176.7 million in September. Soybean prices climbed sharply despite a production estimate of 37.8 bushels per acre, up from 37 bushels in the previous monthly report. The prices: Corn: Dec 7.73 1/4 up 36 1/2, Mar 7.73 1/4 up 35 1/2, May 7.67 3/4 up 35 1/4, Jly 7.60 1/2 up 33 3/4. Soybeans: Nov 15.48 1/2 up 25 1/4, Jan 15.48 1/2 up 24 3/4, Mar 15.20 3/4 up 33 1/2, May 14.78 1/4 up 38 3/4. Wheat: Dec. 8.86 up 16 1/4, Mar 8.97 up 16, May 8.97 3/4 up 16 1/4, Jly 8.61 1/2 up 15 1/4. Oats: Dec 3.88 1/2 up 5, Mar 3.91 1/2 up 4 1/2, May 3.90 1/4 up 1 3/4, Jly 3.89 3/4 up 1.